Packaging methods for semiconductor devices, packaged semiconductor devices, and design methods thereof

ABSTRACT

Packaging methods for semiconductor devices, packaged semiconductor devices, and design methods thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of packaging a plurality of semiconductor devices includes providing a first die, and coupling second dies to the first die. An electrical connection is formed between the first die and each of the second dies. A portion of each of the electrical connections is disposed between the second dies.

BACKGROUND

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications, such as personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and other electronic equipment, as examples. Semiconductor devices are typically fabricated by sequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers, conductive layers, and semiconductive layers of material over a semiconductor substrate, and patterning the various material layers using lithography to form circuit components and elements thereon.

Dozens or hundreds of integrated circuits are typically manufactured on a single semiconductor wafer. The individual dies are singulated by sawing the integrated circuits along a scribe line. The individual dies are then packaged separately, in multi-chip modules, or in other types of packaging, as examples.

The semiconductor industry continues to improve the integration density of various electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.) by continual reductions in minimum feature size, which allow more components to be integrated into a given area. These smaller electronic components also require smaller packages that utilize less area than packages of the past, in some applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of packaging semiconductor devices at various stages in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the packaged semiconductor device shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 through 15 illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of packaging semiconductor devices at various stages in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the packaged semiconductor device shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17 through 23 illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of packaging semiconductor devices at various stages in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the packaged semiconductor device shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of a method of packaging semiconductor devices in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are related to methods of packaging semiconductor devices and structures thereof. Some embodiments are related to design methods for packaged semiconductor devices. The packaged semiconductor devices and designs include through-vias that are disposed between a plurality of dies that are stacked on another die. The through-vias may be disposed within a molding compound, or the through-vias may be disposed within a die or an interposer, which will be described further herein.

FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of packaging semiconductor devices at various stages in accordance with some embodiments. Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a first die 102. The first die 102 is adapted to perform a first function in some embodiments. For example, the first die 102 may comprise a memory device in some embodiments. Alternatively, the first die 102 may be adapted to perform other types of functions. The first die 102 is manufactured using a relatively advanced wafer node in some embodiments, for example.

The first die 102 includes an input/output region 104 disposed proximate a surface of one side of the first die 102. The input/output region 104 may include a plurality of connectors such as contact pads (not shown) disposed on a surface thereof. The input/output region 104 is also referred to herein, e.g., in some of the claims, as an input/output interface. The contact pads may be coupled to internal wiring of the first die 102, such as to vias and/or conductive lines in metallization layers or polysilicon layers of the first die 102, as examples, also not shown. The connectors of the input/output region 104 are disposed primarily in a central region of the first die 102 in some embodiments. Alternatively, the connections of the input/output region 104 may be disposed in other regions of the first die 102 or over an entire surface of the first die 102. The input/output region 104 comprises a wide input/output (I/O) interface in some embodiments, for example. Connections of the I/O interface may comprise a pitch of about 1 μm to about 300 μm, and the I/O count may comprise a number of about 100 to about 1,000 or greater, in some embodiments, as examples. Alternatively, the I/O interface of the input/output region 104 may comprise other pitches and I/O count numbers.

The first die 102 is coupled to a carrier 100, also shown in FIG. 1. The first die 102 may be coupled to the carrier 100 using an adhesive or glue, for example. The carrier 100 may comprise a wafer such as a semiconductor wafer, or the carrier 100 may comprise an organic substrate or other types of substrates. The carrier 100 comprises a sacrificial component that will be removed after the first die 102 is packaged with other die, such as second dies 132 a and 132 b shown in FIG. 4, to be described further herein. The carrier 100 may later be cleaned and used to package other semiconductor devices, for example. Alternatively, the carrier 100 may be discarded after the packaging process.

The first die 102 comprises a die that will be packaged with a plurality of second dies (not shown in FIG. 1; see second dies 132 a and 132 b shown in FIG. 4) in accordance with some embodiments.

In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of the first dies 102 is formed over the carrier 100, not shown. A plurality of the first dies 102 may be simultaneously packaged over the carrier 100 and later singulated to form a plurality of packaged semiconductor devices, for example.

A molding compound 106 a is formed over the first die 102, as shown in FIG. 2. The molding compound 106 a comprises a molding material and may comprise epoxy, an organic polymer, or a polymer with a silica-based filler added, as examples. In some embodiments, the molding compound 106 a comprises a liquid molding compound (LMC) that is a gel type liquid when applied. Alternatively, the molding compound 106 a may comprise other insulating materials. If the molding compound 106 a extends over a top surface of connectors within the input/output region 104 of the first die 102, the molding compound 106 a is removed from over the input/output region 104, for example. The molding compound 106 a is formed around the first die 102 in some embodiments.

An insulating material 108 and interconnects 110 are disposed over the first die 102 and the molding compound 106 a, also shown in FIG. 2. The interconnects 110 may comprise a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) structure, and the insulating material 108 may comprise polybenzoxazole (PBO) in some embodiments, for example. Alternatively, the interconnects 110 and insulating material 108 may comprise other materials.

A die 122 is coupled over the first die 102, as shown in FIG. 3. The die 122 is also referred to herein as a third die 122, e.g., in some of the claims. The die 122 comprises an input/output die in some embodiments, for example. The die 122 includes a plurality of through-vias 120 formed therein. An insulating material 124 may be disposed on one side of the die 122. Ends of the through-vias 120 or contact pads coupled to the through-vias 120 are exposed through the insulating material 124 for making electrical connections to the die 122. Opposite ends of the through-vias 120 are coupled to the interconnects 110 disposed over the first die 102. The through-vias 120 are pre-formed in the die 122 in accordance with some embodiments. The through-vias 120 extend from one side of the die 122 to the other side, and provide vertical electrical connections that are coupled to the first die 102. The through-vias 120 are connected at one end to the interconnects 110 disposed over and coupled to the first die 102 in some embodiments.

The through-vias 120 comprise copper or a copper alloy in some embodiments. The through-vias 120 may include a liner, barrier layer, seed layer, and a conductive fill material in some embodiments. Alternatively, the through-vias 120 may comprise other materials and material layers. The through-vias 120 are formed on a relatively narrow pitch in some embodiments. For example, the through-vias 120 may be formed on a minimum features size or critical dimension (CD) of the third die 122, in some embodiments. The through-vias 120 may comprise a width of about 1 μm to about 200 μm and a pitch of about 1 μm to about 300 μm in some embodiments, as examples. The through-vias 120 may comprise a shape of a circle, oval, square, rectangle, or other shapes in a top view, for example, not shown. Alternatively, the through-vias 120 may comprise other shapes and dimensions.

The through-vias 120 comprise a portion of electrical connections that are formed between the first die 102 and each of the second dies 132 a and 132 b in accordance with some embodiments. The through-vias 120 comprise vertical electrical connections in some embodiments, for example.

The die 122 comprises an input/output controller in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the die 122 comprises a low end wafer node, such as a bulk planar node, for example. The through-vias 120 may comprise through-substrate vias (TSVs) that are disposed within the die 122, for example. The through-vias 120 or contact pads coupled to the through-vias 120 may be coupled to interconnects 120 using a metal-to-metal bonding process, such as a copper-to-copper bonding process, e.g., in embodiments wherein the through-vias 120 or contacts pads coupled to the through-vias 120 and the interconnects 120 comprise copper or a copper alloy, as another example. The through-vias 120 comprise vertical electrical connections disposed within the die 122 that are electrically coupled to the input/output regions 104 of the first die 102 in some embodiments, for example.

In embodiments wherein a plurality of the first dies 102 are packaged simultaneously over the carrier 100, a die 122 is coupled to each of the first dies 102. In some embodiments, two or more dies 122 may be coupled to the first die 102, not shown.

Next, a plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b are coupled to the first die 102, as shown in FIG. 4. Only two second dies 132 a and 132 b are shown in the drawings; however, alternatively, three or more second dies 132 a and 132 b may be coupled to each first die 102, not shown. The third die 122 that includes the through-vias 120 is coupled between two of the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b. Each of the second dies 132 a and 132 b may include an insulating material 134 a and 134 b, respectively, disposed proximate a surface of the second dies 132 a and 132 b. Connectors (not shown) such as contacts, contact pads, and/or bond pads may be disposed within the insulating materials 134 a and 134 b for making electrical connections to the second dies 132 a and 132 b.

In some embodiments, the second dies 132 a and 132 b are adapted to perform a second function, the second function being different than the first function of the first die 102. Alternatively, the second dies 132 a and 132 b may comprise a similar or the same function as the first die 102 in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the first die 102 and the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b comprise functions such that they function as a system-on-a-chip (SOC) when the first die 102 and the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b are packaged together.

In some embodiments, the second dies 132 a and 132 b comprise processors. The second dies 132 a and 132 b comprise advanced node integrated circuits in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the second dies 132 a and 132 b may comprise multiple-gate field effect transistors (MUGFETs), and may comprise FinFETs, for example. Alternatively, the second dies 132 a and 132 b may comprise other types of devices.

In some embodiments, a single second die (not shown) to be packaged with the first die 102 is re-designed so that the single second die comprises the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b, so that the third die 122 containing the through-vias 120 can be placed between two of the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b, to be described further herein.

The third die 122 comprising the through-vias 120 is coupled between two of the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b in accordance with some embodiments. Portions of the first die 102, e.g., interconnects 110, are electrically coupled to the through-vias 120 in the third die 120 in accordance with some embodiments.

A molding compound 106 b is disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the third die 122, also shown in FIG. 4. The molding compound 106 b is formed around the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the third die 122, for example. The molding compound 106 b comprises a similar material as described for molding compound 106 a. The molding compounds 106 a and 106 b are also referred to herein as first or second molding compounds 106 a or 106 b, depending on the order of introduction, e.g., in some of the claims. The molding compound 106 b is disposed around the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the portion of the plurality of electrical connections (e.g., the through-vias 120 within the third die 122) disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b in some embodiments, for example.

An insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 and 140′ are formed over the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b and the third die 122, as shown in FIG. 5. The insulating material 138 comprises one or more insulating material layers and/or passivation layers. The interconnects 140 and 140′ comprise conductive lines and/or conductive vias formed within the insulating material 138. The insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 and 140′ comprise a PPI structure and/or a redistribution layer (RDL) in some embodiments. Alternatively, the insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 and 140′ may comprise other types of connection structures.

The insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 and 140′ comprise horizontal electrical connections in some embodiments that are formed over the molding compound 106 b, the second dies 132 a and 132 b, and the third die 122, in some embodiments. The horizontal electrical connections are disposed on a side of the packaged semiconductor device 150 (see FIG. 7) proximate the second dies 132 a and 132 b in accordance with some embodiments. Portions of the interconnects 140′ (e.g., the horizontal electrical connections) are coupled to the through-vias 120 of the third die 122. In some embodiments, the insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 include fan-out regions so that electrical connections can be made to the packaged semiconductor device 150 on a wider footprint than contacts, contact pads, or bond pads of the first die 102 and second dies 132 a and 132 b, for example.

The carrier 100 is removed, and a plurality of conductors 146 are then coupled to the interconnects 140 in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6. The conductors 146 are formed over and are coupled to portions of the horizontal electrical connections, for example. The conductors 146 may comprise a eutectic material such as solder that is coupled to contact pads or bond pads of the interconnects 140, for example. The conductors 146 may comprise a solder bump or a solder ball, as examples. The use of the word “solder” herein includes both lead-based and lead-free solders, such as Pb—Sn compositions for lead-based solder; lead-free solders including InSb; tin, silver, and copper (“SAC”) compositions; and other eutectic materials that have a common melting point and form conductive solder connections in electrical applications. For lead-free solder, SAC solders of varying compositions may be used, such as SAC 105 (Sn 98.5%, Ag 1.0%, Cu 0.5%), SAC 305, and SAC 405, as examples. Lead-free conductors 146 such as solder balls may be formed from SnCu compounds as well, without the use of silver (Ag). Alternatively, lead-free solder connectors may include tin and silver, Sn—Ag, without the use of copper. The conductors 146 may be one among an array of the conductors 146 formed as a grid, referred to as a “ball grid array” or “BGA”. The conductors 146 may alternatively be arranged in other shapes. The conductors 146 may also comprise non-spherical conductive connectors, for example. In some embodiments, the conductors 146 are not included.

The packaged semiconductor device 150 is then inverted, as shown in FIG. 7. A plurality of the packaged semiconductor devices 150 may be singulated by separating them along scribe lines using a die saw, in some embodiments. The packaged semiconductor device 150 includes the first die 102 that is packaged with the second dies 132 a and 132 b. The through-vias 120 in the third die 122 provide vertical electrical connections for the packaged semiconductor device 150. The interconnects 140 and 140′ provide horizontal electrical connections for the packaged semiconductor device 150. Advantageously, because the through-vias 120 are disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b, the length of the wiring and the routing of the wiring (e.g., interconnects 140′) is minimized, improving performance of the packaged semiconductor device 150.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the packaged semiconductor device 150 shown in FIG. 7. The through-vias 120 of the third die 122 are disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b.

The interconnects 110, 140 and 140′ may comprise a metal such as Ti, Al, Ni, nickel vanadium (NiV), Cu, or combinations or multiple layers thereof, as examples. The interconnects 110, 140 and 140′ may be formed using electrolytic plating, electro-less plating, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition methods, and/or photolithography processes, for example. The interconnects 110, 140 and 140′ may comprise a single layer or multiple layers using an adhesion layer of Ti, TiW, Cr, or other materials, for example. The insulating materials 108, 124, and 138 may comprise a polymer, such as an epoxy, polyimide, benzocyclobutene (BCB), PBO, and the like, although other relatively soft, often organic, dielectric materials may also be used. Spin coating or other commonly used formation methods may be used to apply the insulating materials 108, 124, and 138, for example. Alternatively, the interconnects 110, 140 and 140′ and the insulating materials 108, 124, and 138 may comprise other materials and may be formed using other methods.

FIGS. 9 through 15 illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of packaging semiconductor devices at various stages in accordance with some embodiments. A first die 102 including an input/output region 104 is coupled to a carrier 100, as shown in FIG. 9. A molding compound 106 a is formed around the first die 102, and an insulating material 108 and interconnects 110 are formed over the first die 102 and the molding compound 106 a, as shown in FIG. 10.

An interposer 152 is coupled over the first die 102, as shown in FIG. 11. The interposer 152 comprises a passive interposer in some embodiments, for example. The interposer 152 includes a plurality of through-vias 120 formed therein. Ends of the through-vias 120 or contacts coupled to the through-vias 120 are exposed on each side of the interposer 152 for making electrical connections to the interposer 152. The through-vias 120 are pre-formed in the interposer 152 in accordance with some embodiments. The through-vias 120 extend from one side of the interposer 152 to the other side, and provide vertical electrical connections that are coupled to the first die 102. The through-vias 120 are connected at one end to the interconnects 110 disposed over and coupled to the first die 102 in some embodiments.

Next, a plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b are coupled to the first die 102, as shown in FIG. 12. The interposer 152 that includes the through-vias 120 is coupled between two of the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b. A molding compound 106 b is disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the interposer 152. A An insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 and 140′ are formed over the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b and the interposer 152, as shown in FIG. 13. A plurality of conductors 146 are then coupled to portions of the interconnects 140, as shown in FIG. 14, in some embodiments.

The packaged semiconductor device 150′ is then inverted, as shown in FIG. 15. A plurality of the packaged semiconductor devices 150′ may be singulated by separating them along scribe lines using a die saw, in some embodiments. The packaged semiconductor device 150′ includes the first die 102 that is packaged with the second dies 132 a and 132 b. The through-vias 120 in the interposer 152 provide vertical electrical connections for the packaged semiconductor device 150′. The interconnects 140 and 140′ provide horizontal electrical connections for the packaged semiconductor device 150′. Advantageously, because the through-vias 120 are disposed within the interposer 152 between the second dies 132 a and 132 b, the length and routing of the wiring (e.g., interconnects 140′ is minimized, improving performance of the packaged semiconductor device 150′. FIG. 16 is a top view of the packaged semiconductor device 150′ shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17 through 23 illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of packaging semiconductor devices at various stages in accordance with some embodiments. Rather than being disposed within a third die 122 or an interposer 152 as in the previous embodiments described herein, the through-vias 120 are formed over a carrier 100 a and are later encapsulated with a molding compound 106 b. For example, in FIG. 17, a first carrier 100 a is provided, and a seed layer 154 is formed over the carrier 100 a. The seed layer 154 may comprise copper or a copper alloy formed using a sputter process, physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), or other methods. A photoresist (not shown) is formed over the seed layer 154, and the photoresist is patterned with a desired pattern for the through-vias 120. The photoresist may be patterned using lithography, by exposing the photoresist to light or energy reflected from or transmitted through a lithography mask (not shown) having a desired pattern thereon. The photoresist is then developed, and then exposed portions (or unexposed portions, depending on whether the photoresist comprises a positive or negative photoresist) of the photoresist are then ashed or etched away, leaving patterns in the photoresist. The photoresist is then used as a mask during an electro-chemical plating (ECP) or electro-plating process that is used to form the through-vias 120 through the patterned photoresist over the seed layer 154. The photoresist is then removed, leaving the through-vias 120 disposed over the seed layer 154, as shown in FIG. 17.

The plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b are then coupled to the first carrier 100 a over the seed layer 154, as shown in FIG. 18. The plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b are coupled to the carrier 100 a with an adhesive or glue, for example. A molding compound 106 b is then formed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b, between the through-vias 120, and between the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the through-vias 120, also shown in FIG. 18. The through-vias 120 are thus disposed in the molding compound 106 b and are disposed between the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b. The insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 and 140′ are formed over the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the through-vias 120 disposed in the molding compound 106 b, as shown in FIG. 19.

The first carrier 100 a is then removed, as shown in FIG. 20, and the semiconductor device is inverted. A second carrier 100 b is then coupled to the insulating material 138 and interconnects 140 (e.g., which comprise horizontal electrical connections), also shown in FIG. 20. The seed layer 154 is then removed, and insulating material 108 and interconnects 110 are formed over the second dies 132 a and 132 b, the through-vias 120, and the molding compound 106 b, also shown in FIG. 20. The interconnects 110 are electrically coupled to the through-vias 120, for example.

The first die 102 is then coupled to the second dies 132 a and 132 b and the through-vias 120, as shown in FIG. 21. Portions of the first die 102 are electrically coupled to the through-vias 120. The input/output region 104 of the first die 102 is electrically coupled to the through-vias 120 by interconnects 110, for example.

A molding compound 106 a is formed over and around the first die 102, and the second carrier 100 b is removed, as shown in FIG. 22. In some embodiments, connectors 146 are formed on portions of the interconnects 140, as shown in FIG. 23. The connectors 146 are coupled to portions of the horizontal electrical connections formed by the interconnects 140 in some embodiments, for example. A plurality of the packaged semiconductor devices 150″ may be singulated by separating them along a scribe line using a die saw, in some embodiments. FIG. 24 is a top view of the packaged semiconductor device 150″ shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart 160 of a method of processing a semiconductor device in accordance with some embodiments. In step 162, a first die 102 is provided (see also FIG. 1). In step 164, second dies 132 a and 132 b are coupled to the first die 102 (FIG. 4). In step 166, an electrical connection is formed between the first die 102 and each of the second dies 132 a and 132 b, wherein a portion of each of the electric connections is disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b (FIG. 4).

Some embodiments of the present disclosure comprise design methods for packaged semiconductor devices 150, 150′, or 150″. For example, a first die design is provided, and a second die design is provided. A second die of the second die design is adapted to be stacked onto a first die 102 of the first die design. The second die design is partitioned into a design for a plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b. Electrical connections for the packaged semiconductor device 150, 150′, or 150″ are then designed. The electrical connections comprise the through-vias 120 and the interconnects 140 and 140′ in some embodiments. Designing the electrical connections comprises designing horizontal electrical connections comprising the interconnects 140 and 140′ that are coupleable to the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b. Designing the electrical connections further comprises designing vertical electrical connections comprising the through-vias 120 that are coupleable between the horizontal connections comprising the interconnects 140 and 140′ and the first die 102. The vertical connections comprising the through-vias 120 are disposable between two of the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b. Designing the vertical electrical connections comprises designing a plurality of through-vias 120 disposed in the molding compound 106 b, as shown in FIG. 23, designing a third die 122 comprising a plurality of through-vias 120, as shown in FIG. 7, or designing an interposer 152 comprising a plurality of through-vias 120, as shown in FIG. 15.

Advantages and benefits of some embodiments of the present disclosure include providing novel packaged semiconductor devices 150, 150′, and 150″ that include through-vias 120 disposed between second dies 132 a and 132 b that are stacked within a package with first dies 102. A second die design is partitioned, and a plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b that are adapted to perform the original second die design function are fabricated and packaged with a first die 102. Low cost through-vias 120 are then inserted between the plurality of second dies 132 a and 132 b, which provide electrical connections having a short distance and high input/output connections. The through-vias 120 may comprise through-substrate vias formed in a third die 122 or an interposer 152, or through-molding 106 b vias in accordance with some embodiments. Low cost third dies 122 and low cost interposers 152 may be used to provide the through-vias 120.

In embodiments wherein the through-vias 120 are pre-formed in a third die 122 or an interposer 152, the through-vias 120 can advantageously be pre-tested before assembly (e.g., before the packaging process), resulting in increased manufacturing yields for the packages semiconductor devices 150 and 150′. The through-vias 120 provide a shorter distance electrical connection than horizontal electrical connections in some embodiments, provided a shortest distance for electrical connections in the packaged semiconductor devices 150, 150′, and 150″.

Packages for semiconductor devices are provided that have a decreased cost and improved electrical performance due to the shortened electrical connections provided by the through-vias 120 disposed between the second dies 132 a and 132 b. Costs to manufacture the first dies 102 and/or the second dies 132 a and 132 b are decreased in some embodiments, by avoiding a need to form through-substrate vias in the first dies 102 and/or the second dies 132 a and 132 b. The use of die area on the first dies 102 and/or the second dies 132 a and 132 b is reduced, by avoiding the need to form through-substrate vias in the first dies 102 and/or the second dies 132 a and 132 b in some embodiments, for example. Placing the through-vias 120 in a central region of the packaged semiconductor devices 150, 150′ and 150″ results in reduced overall stress on the packages. Furthermore, the novel packaging systems and process flows described herein are easily implementable in semiconductor device packaging systems and process flows.

In some embodiments, a method of packaging a plurality of semiconductor devices includes providing a first die, and coupling a plurality of second dies to the first die. An electrical connection is formed between the first die and each of the plurality of second dies. A portion of each of the electrical connections is disposed between the plurality of second dies.

In some embodiments, a packaged semiconductor device includes a first die and a plurality of second dies disposed over the first die. A plurality of electrical connections is disposed between the first die and each of the plurality of second dies. A portion of each of the plurality of electrical connections is disposed between the plurality of second dies.

In some embodiments a design method for a packaged semiconductor device includes providing a first die design, and providing a second die design. A second die of the second die design is adapted to be stacked onto a first die of the first die design. The second die design is partitioned into a design for a plurality of second dies. The method includes designing electrical connections for the packaged semiconductor device. Designing the electrical connections comprises designing horizontal electrical connections coupleable to the plurality of second dies, and designing vertical electrical connections coupleable between the horizontal connections and the first die. The vertical connections are disposable between two of the plurality of second dies, in some embodiments.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of packaging a plurality of semiconductor devices, the method comprising: providing a first die, the first die including a first major surface; mounting a plurality of second dies directly to the first major surface of the first die; and forming an electrical connection between the first die and each of the plurality of second dies, wherein a portion of each of the electrical connections is above the first die and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first major surface and is disposed between the plurality of second dies.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the portion of each of the electrical connections comprises forming through-vias.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein forming the through-vias comprises forming the through-vias in a third die or an interposer, and wherein forming the portions of each of the electrical connections comprises coupling the third die or the interposer between two of the plurality of second dies.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein forming the through-vias comprises forming vertical electrical connections, and wherein the method further comprises: coupling the first die to a carrier; forming a first molding compound around the first die; coupling the plurality of second dies and the third die or the interposer to the first die, wherein portions of the first die are electrically coupled to the through-vias in the third die or the interposer; forming a second molding compound around the plurality of second dies and the third die or the interposer; forming horizontal electrical connections over the second molding compound, the plurality of second dies, and the third die or the interposer, wherein portions of the horizontal electrical connections are electrically coupled to the through-vias in the third die or the interposer; removing the carrier; and coupling a plurality of conductors to the horizontal electrical connections.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein forming the through-vias comprises disposing the through-vias in a molding compound disposed between the plurality of second dies.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein forming the through-vias comprises plating the through-vias over a first carrier, wherein forming the through-vias comprises forming vertical electrical connections, and wherein the method further comprises: coupling the plurality of second dies over the first carrier; forming the molding compound between the plurality of second dies and the through-vias; forming horizontal electrical connections over the molding compound, the plurality of second dies, and the through-vias, wherein portions of the horizontal electrical connections are electrically coupled to the through-vias; removing the first carrier; coupling a second carrier to the horizontal electrical connections; and coupling the first die to the plurality of second dies and the through-vias, wherein portions of the first die are electrically coupled to the through-vias.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein forming the molding compound comprises forming a first molding compound, and wherein the method further comprises: forming a second molding compound around the first die; removing the second carrier; and coupling a plurality of conductors to the horizontal electrical connections.
 8. A packaged semiconductor device, comprising: a first die having a major surface; a plurality of second dies mounted directly on the major surface of the first die; and a plurality of electrical connections disposed between the first die and each of the plurality of second dies, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of electrical connections is directly over the first die and extends in a direction orthogonal to the major surface of the first die and is disposed between the plurality of second dies.
 9. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein the portions of the plurality of electrical connections comprise vertical electrical connections of the packaged semiconductor device.
 10. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 9, wherein the first die comprises an input/output interface, and wherein the vertical electrical connections are electrically coupled to the input/output interface of the first die.
 11. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 9, wherein the vertical electrical connections comprise through-vias disposed in a molding compound.
 12. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 9, further comprising a third die or an interposer disposed between two of the plurality of second dies, wherein the vertical electrical connections comprise through-vias disposed in the third die or the interposer.
 13. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of electrical connections further comprise horizontal electrical connections, and wherein portions of the horizontal electrical connections are electrically coupled to the vertical electrical connections.
 14. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein the horizontal electrical connections are disposed on a side of the packaged semiconductor device proximate the plurality of second dies.
 15. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein the horizontal electrical connections comprise a redistribution layer (RDL) or a post passivation interconnect (PPI) structure.
 16. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 13, further comprising a plurality of conductors coupled to the horizontal electrical connections.
 17. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 8, further comprising a first molding compound disposed around the first die, and a second molding compound disposed around the plurality of second dies and the portion of the plurality of electrical connections disposed between the plurality of second dies.
 18. The packaged semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein the first die is adapted to perform a first function, wherein the plurality of second dies are adapted to perform a second function, the second function being different than the first function, and wherein the packaged semiconductor device comprises a system on a chip (SOC).
 19. A device comprising: a first die, the first die having a first major surface including contact pads disposed thereon; a plurality of through via structures over and vertically aligned with the first major surface and electrically coupled to respective contact pads; a second die having a topmost surface positioned on a first plane, the first plane being over and parallel to the first major surface, the second die having a bottommost surface positioned on a second plane parallel to the first plane, the second die being electrically coupled to a first subset of the plurality of through via structures; a third die having a topmost surface positioned on the first plane the third die being electrically coupled to a second subset of the plurality of through via structures, wherein the plurality of through via structures extend from the first plane to the second plane.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the through via structures extend through an element selected from the group consisting of a die substrate, an interposer, and a molding compound. 